Search This Blog

Revell 1/72 PT Boat - Part II

I came home last night to my wife waving a small package under my nose that had come in the mail that day. This could only mean my airbrush tips had finally arrived, and knowing that I'd been waiting so patiently for them she couldn't resist teasing me. Once in my possession, I ripped open the little box like a giddy child on Christmas morning and retrieved two shiny new VL-1 and VL-2 airbrush tips. With a renewed sense of purpose, that evening I returned to the workbench to paint the PT Boat.

I had initially thought that after starting the Oscar several days ago that it would be difficult to find the inspiration to jump back into this project. After all, I've never painted a boat before and planes are far more appealing. But it was soon proven that my fears were unfounded.
Painting a PT Boat is similar to painting a tank, and though I haven't painted armor in a while it was like riding a bicycle. The modulated paint and weathering is all the same. So I began as I normally do, using the three layer blend technique that I picked up from Matt over on Doogs' Models. Hands down the most influential techniques I've learned since dry brushing.
It begins with an all over coat of black, followed by highlighting the panels with white...

Then a thin coat of olive green is applied over that, leaving the shadows dark and the white areas a lighter shade of green. This was followed by another layer of olive green mixed with yellow and was applied to just the upper most surfaces. A little tan here and there for streaks and fades, and I've got the basic paint job for a weathered PT Boat. I think any way.

Of course, there is much more left to do to accomplish the final look. I need the keel painted red, then I can start painting small details and utilize washes and dry brushing to help weather it some more. But I'm pretty pleased with it at the moment.

The only question I have is what base am I going to put it on?
I'll think of something....
Thanks for reading!

Thanks, Lt! There is a slight variation between Matt's method and mine for two reasons. The first, I'll be honest, is by accident. The first time I attempted it I don't think I paid enough attention to his approach before trying it myself. If I recall correctly, Matt likes to prime in black. I believe I interpreted that as the first layer rather than the base coat. Secondly, despite the difference, I think it offers a starker contrast between layers which works handily with armor or a beat up torpedo boat like this. Though I noticed the difference, I never corrected my approach for this reason. What are your thoughts?

I completely understand both the original misunderstanding (I did the same thing when I read Doogs' approach) and your "starker contrast" reasoning for sticking with it.

I have a Sherman on the bench that I'm going to try the black-and-white three-blend technique out on. The hot and humid weather here has slowed progress but I'll report back my thoughts when I can get the airbrush out in the next few days.

Well, I had mixed results with my first attempt at the three-layer blend. In the end, the effect turned out to be much more subtle than I have seen you produce. I think my third layer got built up a little too much. I ended up augmenting the technique with some additional highlighting to create additional tonal variation. I'll be doing a post on in over the weekend with pictures. So, stay tuned.

Ah, yes the third layer must be pretty thin and applied lightly in order for it to be as noticeable as you may want. Like you say, it works well when you add a lighter shade over that 3rd layer as well. But really, the 3 layer blend is a good foundation for other weathering and modulation work.

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

They say you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Model kits make their first impressions with their box art. While I've never based my decision to purchase a kit solely on what is essentially the hobby's version of a profile picture, a well done work of art does go a long way to inspire me.
Here is a short list of box art that I consider some of the worst, and least inspiring.
Hasegawa Real Thing
Hasegawa has been known to make some pretty attractive box art, but their trend toward using photographs of the real thing are just boring.
Revell's MiG-21PF
Revell's box art is typically OK. This one makes the list, however, because I'm not sure why this Fishbed would have it's air brakes open while in afterburner.

All of Testor's Box Art
Basically the modeling equivalent of still life, it's just objects arranged in a some what photogenic manner that aren't even marginally better than the WIP photos I produce at my workbench. And what&…

A preliminary look at Kitty Hawk's upcoming F-5E/F in 1/32 scale
Several weeks ago, Kitty Hawk announced their intentions to release a large scale Tiger after sharing several CAD images on their Facebook page. It usually isn't prudent to jump all over CAD images with criticism so early on because many things change through the course of a model's production timeline. It would be like saying your child looks nothing like you after catching a glimpse of the ultrasound.
Never the less, the image gives us an idea of part placement, engineering and features like open panels and weapons that will be included. Since as you know I have a distinct fascination with aircraft weaponry, that will be the main point of interest here. So, let's explore the world of the F-5 Tiger II and see if we can't figure out what to expect from Kitty Hawk.

The Kit so far...

These are a few of the images released by Kitty Hawk that show the weaponry apparently included in the kit. The first th…

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is the most successful short range air-to-air missile in the world. Since entering service in 1956, it has been employed by twenty-eight nations worldwide and has seen combat in multiple contested air spaces since its first action in 1958. It's low cost and continuous upgrades have enabled the missile to achieve success well into the 21st Century.
It's incredible life span has allowed the AIM-9 to serve on a range of different air frames, making it the air-to-air missile you will likely see in your kit's box, especially if you intend to build a Western subject. However, through the copied K-13 Soviet version, you may also see it in Eastern Bloc subjects as well like the MiG-21.

So what's this about?
It's not hard to look up the history of the Sidewinder online. Good thing I am not writing a history book. Instead, I recognize that the little missile is quite popular in the United States as well as the air forces of foreign nations. It will appe…